Can closure



NOV. 12, 1935. C, D, HARR|S ET AL 2,021,123

CAN CLOSURE Filed April 16, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 12, 1935.

C, D. HARRIS ET AL CAN CLOSURE Filed April 16, 1954 2 SheeJts-Sheet, 2

Patented Nov. 12, 1935 ili'i'bl NPATENT o-Fricr.

CAN CLOSURE 1 Clarence D. Harris andiTressel R. David, Nampa, Idaho Application April 16, 1934, Serial No. 720,852

3 Claims.

Y. This invention relates to a securing means for a milk can lid, and has for its object the production of a simple and eilicient securing or holding means for a milk can lid which will automatically 5 snap into a locking position and which may be also easily released by exerting pressure upon the lid and lifting the same.

Another object of the invention is the production of a simple and eiicient latch mechanism carried by a milk can lid, the latch mechanism being so constructed as to automatically snap into a locking position when the lid is forced to a closed position upon the neck of a milk can, and at the same time may be released by exerting outward pressure on the lid.

A further object of this invention is the production of a simple and eincient locking device for a can lid which will automatically spring to a locking position for preventing the accidental :0 removal of the lid from the can.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent throughout the following speciicaton and claims.

1n the drawings:-

:5 Figure 1 is a vertical sectional View through a portion of a can showing the lid in its closed or locked position;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional viewthrough the can and lid taken at right angles to Figure 1;

Figure is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 3 3 of Figure 2; i

Figure 4 is a sectional perspective view of a por tion of the can and lid illustrating in detail the latching device;

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view through a modied form of can and lid holding or locking structure;

Figure 6 is a section taken on line 6 5 of Fgure 5; looking in the direction of the arrow;

i()v Figure 7 is a section taken on line 'I-1 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view of a modified form of can and cover of the present invention;

Figure 9 is a section taken on line 9--9 of Figure 8; and

Figure l0 is a detail perspective of the latching member used in connection with the form of device illustrated in Figures 8 and 9.

By referring to the drawings, it will be `seen that it designates a can of the conventional type having an inclined shoulder portion i I terminating in a vertically extending restricted neck I2.

A lid I3 of the conventional type is used in conjunction with the can It and comprises an inwardly extending collar portion M which is adapted to t within the restricted neck i2 of the can. This collar portion it carries upon each side thereof, a latching member i5, the latching members l5 being secured to the inner face oi 5 the collar portion I4 by means ci suitable rivets IB. The latching members l5 are bowed outwardly with respect to the collar I4, as indicated at Il, toprovide a suitable spring action, and these latching members i5 are preferably formed IO of spring material and the lower ends of the latching members I5 normally lie snugly against the lower edge I8 ofthe collar I4. A slightly bowed transversely extending locking bar I9 is secured to the lower end of each latching meml5 ber I5 and this bowed locking bar I9 is preferably substantially circular in cross-section as indicated at 20, with the exception that the rear face is ilattened as at 2l, in order to permit the locking bar I9 to be securely soldered or other 20 wise fastened to the inner attened face of the spring latching member i5, as shown in Figure 4. This locking bar I9 is preferably oi an elongated structure so as to extend laterally of the latching member l5 for a considerable distance and 25 provide a wide gripping surface.

In the form shown in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, it will be noted that theA locking bar 2l is adapted to fit under the upper edge of the inclined shoulder portion II, and thereby rmly hold 30 the lid against accidental displacement from the can. The rounded face of the locking bar 2I, however, will permit the cover to be released from the can when pressure is exerted outwardly upon the lid, but under normal conditions the latching 35 member I5 in conjunction with the locking bar 2l will irmly hold the lid against accidental displacement.

In Figures 5, 6, and 7, there is shown a modified form of the invention wherein the lid i3 40 carries the usual latching members I5 and the locking bar I9 previously described, the only difference in the two forms being in the construction of the can which is indicated by the numeral 22. This can 22 is provided with an 45 upstanding restricted neck 23 in which neck 23 is formed an annular bead 2G near its lower end and above the inclined shoulder 25. This bead 24 is adapted to receive the locking bar i9 previously described, when the lid I2?v is secured to 50 a can, such as illustrated by the numeral 22, and the locking .bar I9 by fitting snugly within the beaded channel 2li will eiiiciently hold the lid against accidental displacement and at the same time permit the lid to be easily snapped into and 55 tion, so long as such changes fall'within theY the latching member l5 and locking bar I9 areV identical, the only diiference being in the construction of the can itself.

It should be noted that certain detail changes in the mechanical construction may be employed without departing from the spirit of the invenscope of the appended claims.

By referring particularly to Figure 3, it will be yseen that 2S designates the can which is provided with an inclined shoulder portion 2l terminating in an upstanding neck 28, the neck 28 having an outturned lip 2S at its outer extremity,

the lip 29 terminating in a beaded portion V3l).

A lid 3i having an annular neck portion 32 Vis adapted to fit within'the upstanding neck 28 of the can 26, which lid 31 has the edge thereof provided with a downwardly extending protector flange 33 around its marginal edge for snugly tting over and shielding the outturned ange 29 of the neck 23, rEhe outturned ange 29 will facilitate the guiding of the neck 32 into the neck V28. The annular neck portion 32 is provided with an annular bead 3d near its inner end which is adapted to rest upon the outturned ange 29 of the neck 28 and limit the inward movement of the neck portion 32 within the neck 28. The neck portion 23 is provided with elongated slots or cut-out portions 35 near the lower edge of the annular neck 32; as shown in Figures 8 and 9. .Y

A spring latching member 3b` is secured to each side of the neck portion 32 upon the inner face of the neck as shown in Figure 8 and each'of these latch members 36 is provided with an outwardly bowed spring portion 3l which terminates in a transversely extending' locking bar 38 which is preferably rounded upon its inner face and having its ends'projecting beyond the sides of the bowed portion 3l, as shown in Figures 9 and l0. The locking bars 33 of the latching members 36 are adapted to project Y through the slots 35 and contact with Ithe under face of the shoulder portion 21 at a point near the junction of the neck 28 with the shoulder 2l, the spring or bowed portion 3l of the latching member 36 tending to hold this locking member 38 in contact with the under face of the shoulder 2l, as shown in Figure 8; The locking members 38 are preferably elongated to provide a wide or long gripping face upon the can.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:-

1. YIn combination, a can having a neck substantially circular in cross section, the neck having a circumferentially extending abutment portion, a cover having a depending collar of a diameter to i'lt snugly within theV can neck, and

spring latching members carried by said collar to releasably hold the cover upon the can neck,` each latch consisting of'a strip of resilient material extending longitudinally ofthe collar Vand secured at its upper end to the collar, the lowerV end of the strip being free, and a cross bar of rigid material carried bythe lower end portion of the strip and secured intermediate its length to `the stripi with its end'portions projecting from opposite sides of *the* strip, the cross bar being curved longitudinally and` providing an elongated gripping member adapted to engage the abutment of the can neck foran appreciable distance circumferentially of the neck whereby the cover will be rmly but detachably held in place. Y Y

2. In combination, a can having a neck provided with a circumferentially extending abutment portion, a cover having a collar to t snugly within the neck and having cut-outs formed in spaced relation to its lower end exposing portions of the abutment portion of the neck when the cover is in place, and latches consisting of spring strips extending longitudinally of the collarand secured at their upper ends to the collar, and cross bars carried by lower end portions of the spring strips and providing elongated grippers extending through the cut-outs for engaging the abutment portion of the neck to securely but releasably hold the cover to the neck.

3. Incombination, a can having a neck provided with a circumferentally extending abutment portion, a cover having a collar to t snugly within the neck, and latches consisting of spring Y neck to securely but releasably hold the coverY to the neck. Y

' Y CLARENCE D. HARRIS.

TRESSELVR. DAVID` 

